First image of Mercedes W02

The first rendering of Mercedes’ 2011 challenger, the W02, has been published by the team.

Although this is not the actual launch, as that is happening on Tuesday in Valencia, it gives us a good look at the car. Mercedes appear to have adopted Red Bull’s high nosecone, which becomes wider at the front, similar to Ferrari’s F150.

The wings appear generally the same, although they have reverted to the old airbox design, compared to a radical split airbox layout last year.

This image was first published by German newspaper Bild earlier today.